Road surface effect on speed?
06-15-11, 11:06 AM
#1
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Road surface effect on speed?
I do the vast majority of my riding on fairly rough chipseal roads. I notice on the few true asphalt paved roads on my routes that I'm able to maintain a higher speed. However, I don't know if this is just a psychological effect or if there is a measurable difference in rolling resistance and/or power required. Anyone have any data showing differences in speed between different road surface types?
Last edited by KillerBeagle; 06-15-11 at 11:22 AM.
06-15-11, 11:20 AM
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Some data here: https://www.biketechreview.com/forum/...-testing-notes
Also, search the above forum for posts by 'AFM' with crr and road surface, you should find some more info. AFM tests lots of tires and publishes the results periodically.
Also, search the above forum for posts by 'AFM' with crr and road surface, you should find some more info. AFM tests lots of tires and publishes the results periodically.
06-15-11, 11:22 AM
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to a point, smoother = faster, all other things remaining equal
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06-15-11, 11:22 AM
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Freshly laid asphalt is like slicks, and chip seal is like knobbies.
06-15-11, 11:39 AM
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Recusant Iconoclast
06-15-11, 11:40 AM
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Recusant Iconoclast
06-15-11, 02:08 PM
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I just thought of an idea for my son's science fair project next year.
06-15-11, 02:19 PM
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I was going to help my daughter do something with aerodynamics on the bike, and use the power meter to quantify.
Got shut down because all the ideas involved a "human subject" which was against the rules of her science fair.
Got shut down because all the ideas involved a "human subject" which was against the rules of her science fair.
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You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
06-15-11, 02:28 PM
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Hmmmm. I'm going to have to check the rules.
06-15-11, 02:39 PM
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I don't see the downside to that. If anything it gives you reason to build that necessary wind tunnel.
06-15-11, 02:45 PM
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Maybe I can argue that we're going to use a bike racer rather than a human being.
06-15-11, 02:46 PM
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Portland Fred
06-15-11, 05:31 PM
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I rode on "freshly laid asphalt" today.
It was so fresh my tires sunk into it. It was like riding with two flat tires.
Give it a few days to cool first (if you can, I didn't have a choice in the matter)
It was so fresh my tires sunk into it. It was like riding with two flat tires.
Give it a few days to cool first (if you can, I didn't have a choice in the matter)
06-15-11, 05:37 PM
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I recently rode on a paved road which had been roughed up in preparation for a new coat of asphalt. It had a wire mesh like texture which made my front tire wobble side to side. I slowed down some out of fear of crashing.
06-15-11, 07:07 PM
#24
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I feel the same way, to the tune of 1-2 mph. Around here 90 % of the roads I ride on are very course chip and seal. There are a couple of newly paved roads I can get on that are like Nirvana and I see an immediate increase in speed. It happens, whether or not it is psychological remains a mystery to me.
06-15-11, 08:15 PM
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I wish I knew what a paved road was!
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